HISTORIC treasures are being put on show to mark the 100th anniversary of a town's library.

They include a souvenir brochure, published on the day that Accrington Library, in Cannon Street, opened in 1908, as well as a number of books that are as old as the building.

The library retains many of its original features and Linda Doody, who works in the local studies and reference library, said the building is almost exactly as it looked 100 years ago - except for the furniture.

Staff at the library will be celebrating the anniversary with a series of events on Friday, which is the exact date of the milestone.

A brass band will play and exhibitions will be displayed including famous books written for children and adults in the early 1900s, and photographs of Accrington Library when it opened.

A special chance for people to go back in time to an Edwardian schoolroom will be held on Saturday.

Mrs Doody said: "There are so many beautiful old books here in the reference library that have survived since the library started all those years ago."

Some of the books include Stories for the Household by Hans Christian Anderson published in 1888.

This includes over 60 fairy tales from the Danish story teller including the Emperor's New Clothes Another is Tom Tufton's Travels, a story about a dying traveller, by Evelyn Everett Green, the English novelist, published in 1898.

That book includes the message: "Given to George Lawton in recognition of his kind services as secretary in St Mary's SS (Sunday School). January 22, 1898."

Staff at the library believe this church is in Newton Heath, Manchester, but it is not known who George Lawton is.

There is also an ornate programme that was produced to record the opening day.

Featured in the book are articles on the grand opening of the building and some of the dignatries that attended the event.

It says: "When the public are admitted to the new library they will be able to take their choice from 11,000 volumes.

"One of the chief features of the lending department is the good collection of music (400 volumes) and it is safe to say there are few public libraries of the size of our own with a better collection of music available for home use."

It also refers to the opening by reporting: "To use books rightly is to go to them for help and this saying is commended to the reading public of Accrington."

Mrs Doody said these books, which are available to view in the reference library, are "invaluable".

The library, which still features the original grand staircase and stainED-glass windows with which it was built, now holds around 140,000 books as well as reference materials and an extensive online section.

When it was opened in 1908 it was stocked with 11,000 books.

Mrs Doody added: "The library is very busy with a popular children's department and a local history department and I am sure that will remain the case."

  • Click on the link below for the full Accrington library photo gallery.